With the desire to bring a traditional Japanese culinary experience, a small noodle shop has created a cozy space and unique flavors for diners who love the culture here. With a delicate combination of original recipes and a little tweaking, the shop brings a sense of closeness and novelty while still maintaining the quintessence of the typical flavors of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Konoha Ramen & Sushi - Compact Japanese restaurant on Pham Ngoc Thach street, Hanoi
Located in the Central Temple area, Konoha Noodle Shop offers diners a traditional Japanese culinary space. Not only is it a restaurant, it is also a miniature world for anime fans, especially those who love the Naruto series. Entering Konoha, customers will immediately be attracted by the paintings and decorations reminiscent of the characters and symbols featured in the series, even the name of the shop is taken from the title in the original work.
The interior of the restaurant is simply decorated, giving a friendly and close feeling, like the restaurants in the story that the characters often visit. The restaurant's menu is also special with ramen, udon and many other Japanese dishes, adjusted to suit local tastes but still retaining the typical richness and richness.
Mr. Hoang, owner of Konoha noodle shop, shared: “I learn many recipes from Japanese chefs, but when making them in Vietnam, I need to adjust them to suit Vietnamese tastes. For example, with noodle dishes, I can reduce the saltiness and fat content to better suit domestic customers. The presentation of the dishes is also very important – I try to keep the style minimalist but still be a little creative so that they feel new and attractive.”
The counter is decorated with cute figurines and Japanese cultural items.
The restaurant owner always wants to maintain the traditional flavor in each dish of his restaurant. He believes that the core value of cuisine lies in the authentic flavor and sophistication of each ingredient, not depending on trends or fads. For Mr. Hoang, following tastes can bring temporary attraction, but cannot create lasting attraction. Therefore, each dish at the restaurant is always prepared according to the original recipe, retaining the inherent flavor that he has painstakingly researched and preserved. Mr. Hoang hopes that every diner coming to the restaurant will feel the connection with traditional values, bringing a deep and memorable experience.
Mr. Hoang, owner of Konoha noodle shop
Speaking more about the beginning process, Mr. Hoang used to study Accounting, but then had the opportunity to work in the kitchen and gradually, he realized his special passion for this job. Like many people in the profession, he also cherished the dream of opening his own store. During that journey, Hoang learned a lot from those who went before him. At first, he tried selling online to get acquainted with customers, then gradually decided to open Konoha noodle shop. Up to now, the shop has been in operation for two years.
The dining table corner is decorated with Japanese-style paintings, creating a cozy and cheerful space for diners.
Mr. Hoang said that the main target audience of the restaurant is people who love Japan, including both Vietnamese and foreign guests. Diners not only want to enjoy the cuisine but also look for a space that can bring them a sense of closeness to the culture of the cherry blossom country. The restaurant is designed in a compact and cozy style, which not only helps save costs but also gives customers a real sense of space. He added: “I want to create a place where customers can feel the Japanese style right from the moment they step into the restaurant. From the arrangement of tables and chairs, lighting to decoration, everything is carefully selected and arranged to bring a feeling of comfort.” He believes that the compactness of the restaurant creates interaction between staff and customers, increasing a positive experience.
"Naruto" noodle bowl, the name of the original character that the restaurant was inspired by
Currently, there are many noodle shops on the market with prices that are quite cheap compared to the general level, which creates a lot of competition. Mr. Hoang said that his shop cannot offer such a price because the cost of ingredients (cost) to ensure flavor and quality is quite high. For him, each bowl of noodles is not just a dish but also a commitment to quality, from fresh ingredients to careful processing. He wants his customers to feel the value and dedication in each dish, rather than just focusing on price.
In the future, Mr. Hoang also plans to expand the business scale. However, he wants to focus on stabilizing the current restaurant, especially in terms of human resources and facilities before thinking about opening more branches. “I want to ensure that the restaurant always maintains the quality of service and the taste of the dishes before thinking about expanding. When everything is stable, I will consider opening more branches in other areas,” said Mr. Hoang.
Cute character models bring a fun and lively touch to the space of the shop.
Konoha Noodle Shop not only offers bowls of authentic Japanese noodles but also conveys the full culture of the cherry blossom country to Vietnamese diners. With the passion to preserve traditional flavors, the owner has created a cozy, intimate and emotional space for those who love Japanese cuisine. Konoha is a place where diners can enjoy quintessential dishes, feel the dedication in each bowl of noodles and share the love for Japanese culture in the heart of Vietnam.
